Cannabis is derived from the plant called
Cannabis Sativa, which is grown all round the world. The Cannabis
plant can also be grown in the UK, people trying to grow this plant
in the UK on a commercial basis unfortunately hit problems as it
requires specialist equipment and plenty of light and warmth. Cannabis
comes in a few different forms those being resin, dried herbs and
liquid, in the UK it is mainly resin.

This picture illustrates
the size and colour of a block of Cannabis resin. Depending on
the type of Cannabis the colour may be lighter or darker.

The Price Of Cannabis

The block of Cannabis to the left would
cost around £40.00
Priced in 2001

A block of Cannabis is formed
from the resin which is extracted from the buds and flowers of the
Cannabis plant. Cannabis resin comes from various sources but mainly
from Morocco and Lebanon, it is usually hard and brittle from these
countries and soft textured from the likes of Pakistan. Resin arrives
in this country in different strengths, some being below average
potency. Resin has acquired various different names some due to
the strength, like Skunk, others due to peoples preferences. Most
common names are Blow, Wacky Backy, Ganja, Dope, Hash or Hashish,
Grass, Pot and many more.

The other two forms of Cannabis which have
been mentioned are dried herbs which are dried leaves and buds of
the Cannabis plant. The liquid (oil) which is uncommon is prepared
from the resin.

How Is Cannabis Taken

Cannabis can be smoked a number of
different ways, it can also be eaten. Firstly smoking Cannabis,
this is done by making a joint (hand rolled cigarette), depending
on what cigarette papers are used a joint is usually made up of
three standard paper, two joined together and one stuck at the back.
Tobacco is then placed along the length of the joint, the Cannabis
is then added. Cannabis is usually in the form of a block of resin
and needs to be warmed so it becomes brittle and can then be broken
down into small particles which are spread evenly along the joint,
the papers are then rolled to form a cigarette. One end of the cigarette
is twisted a round to seal the end, then a roach would be added
to the other end to compact the tobacco and Cannabis inside the
joint. A roach is a small piece of rolled up thin card, possibly
part of the packaging of the Rizla papers. The joints are this size
as usually they are shared between a few people. The person smoking
the joint would take a large inhale of the smoke and hold it in
the lungs for as long as possible to enable the smoke to travel
round the body in the blood stream like oxygen does, eventually
reaching the brain giving them the high.

Cooking Cannabis

This drug can also be cooked, usually in
the form of a cake, biscuits etc. The Cannabis is broken down into
small pieces and mixed with the cake mixture and cooked as per the
instructions on the cake mixture packet. Once the cake is made and
ready for eating it would then be cut into pieces and shared.

Inhaling Cannabis

Inhaling just the smoke off Cannabis is done
in a couple of ways. On the market there is plenty of smoking devices
such as pipes with mesh grills. The Cannabis is placed onto the
mesh grill, heat is applied the pipe is then sucked so that all
the smoke off the Cannabis is inhaled. This method of inhalation
tends to burn the throat as the smoke is rather warm when inhaled.

Using A Bong

Another way of inhaling this drug is to use
a bong, with this method the smoke is drawn through water in a bottle
causing the smoke to be cooled down before it is inhaled and obviously
more enjoyable for the user. A bong is a bit like an Indian's piece
pipe.

For a user to make a bong is fairly simple,
the materials required are all found around the home, small plastic
bottle, cigarette filter, plastic tube, i.e. a pen with the inside
taken out, and a receptacle for burning the Cannabis in, for instance
the outsides of a TV aerial plug.

Items To Look Out For

Completed
Homemade Bong

Effects Of Cannabis

Cannabis is a widely used drug
and has been for some time in the UK. The effects of Cannabis is
determined on the individual, the state of mind the individual was
in before taking the drug, i.e. depressed or happy etc. Main effects
of a user would be very talkative, relaxed and happy. Colours and
sounds also play a big part in the state of users, as these are
more pronounced and usually help relax the user. Like other drugs
Cannabis can have its bad side of effects, especially when higher
dose's are taken. Some side effects include hallucinations and the
user may become disorientated. This in turn can also lead to the
user being anxious or depressed and possible suicidal. Some users
will also become paranoid especially if taking the drug at parties
with a lot of other people around. Nausea and vomiting can be present
when too much of the drug is taken at once. When smoking Cannabis
it usually hits the spot fairly quickly and can last from 1 to 3
hours depending on the amount taken. Just like heroin users, Cannabis
users also get the munchies and dry mouth. Cannabis is classed as
a drug that is fairly safe to use without any serious long lasting
damage to physical or mental health. Cannabis is still dangerous
due to the damage to the lungs through smoking, it is also said
that it is not a drug that is addictive, to some people it is, also
using cannabis with tobacco the user could get addicted to the nicotine
in tobacco and get dependent on cigarette's.